ASTM_C_1854_-_17.pdf

Designation:C185417Standard Test Method forDetermination of Hydrogen(total from all sources)in MixedOxide(U,Pu)O2)Sintered Pellets by the Inert Gas FusionTechnique Followed by Thermal Conductivity Measurement1This standard is issued under the fixed designation C1854;the number immediately following the designation indicates the year oforiginal adoption or,in the case of revision,the year of last revision.A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.Asuperscript epsilon()indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.1.Scope1.1 This test method covers the determination of hydrogenin nuclear-grade mixed oxides of uranium and plutonium(U,Pu)O2)sintered fuel pellets.This test method is an alternativeto Test Method C698 for the determination of moisture innuclear-grade sintered mixed oxide(MOX)fuel pellets.TestMethod C698 describes the detection of moisture in mixedoxides using a coulometric,electrolytic moisture analyzer.Although the main source of H2in the fuel pellets is moisture,there could be other sources.The MOX pellet SpecificationC833 specifies a limit for hydrogen from all sources,not onlymoisture.The inert gas fusion followed by thermal conductiv-ity detector specified in this test method allows for detection ofhydrogen from all sources.Therefore,this test method can beused to determine the limit specified in C833.1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded asstandard.No other units of measurement are included in thisstandard.1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of thesafety concerns,if any,associated with its use.It is theresponsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-ization established in the Decision on Principles for theDevelopment of International Standards,Guides and Recom-mendations issued by the World Trade Organization TechnicalBarriers to Trade(TBT)Committee.2.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:2C698 Test Methods for Chemical,Mass Spectrometric,andSpectrochemical Analysis of Nuclear-Grade Mixed Ox-ides(U,Pu)O2)C753 Specification for Nuclear-Grade,Sinterable UraniumDioxide PowderC757 Specification for Nuclear-Grade Plutonium DioxidePowder for Light Water ReactorsC833 Specification for Sintered(Uranium-Plutonium)Diox-ide Pellets for Light Water ReactorsC859 Terminology Relating to Nuclear MaterialsC1068 Guide for Qualification of Measurement Methods bya Laboratory Within the Nuclear Industry3.Terminology3.1 For definitions of terms used in this test method but notdefined herein,refer to Terminology C859.3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:3.2.1 MOXnuclear fuel composed of a mixture of uraniumand plutonium oxides(U,Pu)O2).3.2.2 reference materialmaterial traceable to a referencematerial from a national standards body such as the U.S.National Institute for Standards and Technology(NIST)orequivalent.3.2.3 sinteringto increase the bonding in a mass of pow-der or a compact by heating below the melting point of themain constituent.3.3 Acronyms:3.3.1 LIMSLaboratory Information Management System3.3.2 TCDThermal Conductivity Detector4.Summary of Test Method4.1 The method for the determination of total hydrogen(H2)from all sources presented in this test method consists of fusion1This test method is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee C26 on NuclearFuel Cycle and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C26.05 on Methods ofTest.Current edition approved June 1,2017.Published June 2017.DOI:10.1520/C1854-17.2For referenced ASTM standards,visit the ASTM website,www.astm.org,orcontact ASTM Customer Service at serviceastm.org.For Annual Book of ASTMStandards volume information,refer to the standards Document Summary page onthe ASTM website.Copyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959.United StatesThis international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for theDevelopment of International Standards,Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade(TBT)Committee.1 of the sample in an electrode impulse furnace in a stream ofnitrogen(N2)or argon(Ar)gas at a temperature sufficient torelease all hydrogen in the sample.The stream of gas carriesthe released hydrogen through a series of filters to removeinterfering impurities and the hydrogen is measured by TCD.4.2 The specimen,a single MOX pellet weighing approxi-mately 6 g,contained in a small single-use graphite crucible,isfused under a flowing nitrogen(N2)or argon(Ar)atmosphereand at a temperature greater than 1770C.Hydrogen present inthe sample is released as molecular hydrogen into the flowingcarrier gas.Other gases are also liberated into the carri